Friday August 3rd, 2018: Suffolk and Essex social enterprise
Realise Futures says a Government announcement this week for extra
funding to support disabled people with the greatest barriers to
work is good news for the region.

The Ipswich-based company, which specialises in a range of
training and employment services for people with disabilities
and/or disadvantages, says the move has secured the future of its
own workforce, and it will also enable it to support more disabled
people looking to work in future.

For two years from April 2019, supported businesses like Realise
Futures will receive increased funding of £5,000 a year from the
Government's Access to Work scheme for each person in a Work Choice
protected place.

The extra funding - announced by the Department for Work and
Pensions on Wednesday - has secured the future of thousands of
jobs for disabled employees around the country.

Realise Futures currently supports 56 people on protected
placements working in its RF Works division - https://www.realisefutures.org/our-enterprises -
consisting of six social businesses in Suffolk, ranging from
horticulture, food and catering, fulfilment and eco outdoor
furniture.

Jenny Brick, Realise Futures' Business Development Director,
said: "It's excellent news and a huge relief for our
current employees on protected placements, the staff who
support them and the organisation as a whole."

"It is also great news in recognising the unique contribution
that supported businesses make in offering employment to disabled
people, and the fact that the model has been recognised and
committed to by policy makers going forwards."

"The work we have undertaken as a member of the Supported
Business Steering group to lobby the Department for Work and
Pensions for the continuation of this funding has put Realise
Futures firmly on the radar with the Department of Work and
Pensions at a national level, and I am incredibly proud of the
work that the team has done to get to this point."

She added: "Our social mission is to help and support those
furthest from the workforce to progress and achieve. Although there
is still a lot of work to be done going forwards to clarify all the
details, this is good news for disability employment."

Disabled employees working for supported businesses can benefit
from job coaches, additional HR support, adapted working
practices and extra supervision.

In this week's announcement, Secretary of State for Work
and Pensions, Esther McVey, said: "Supported businesses can provide
employment opportunities for those disabled people who want to work
but may otherwise find it difficult to secure a suitable
role. That's why we're increasing the funding for each person
working in a supported business, ensuring that disabled people who
want to work have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits that work
can bring."

Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health, Sarah Newton,
said: "We're committed to ensuring that disabled people have the
necessary support to thrive in the workplace. The increased payment
will not only be available for existing employees but also for
businesses to employ more disabled people, enabling a total of over
2,000 disabled people across England, Scotland and Wales to access
support."